Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad in four-member panel formed for new coach hunt

Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board has formed a four member committee that includes two of its top former captains, Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram to select the new head coach and batting and fielding coaches for the national team.

With the Asia Cup and World T20 Cup round the corner, the PCB announced that the committee that includes Akram, Miandad, former captain Intikhab Alam and the chief operating officer, Subhan Ahmad will evaluate the interested candidates and than recommend the final names to the board.

"We have also floated an advertisement today for this purpose inviting applications from interested candidates. The final date for receipt of applications is February 6, 2014," a board official said.

Wasim said he would be looking at candidates who had the ability to communicate well with players and manage them under pressure. "Management and development of players is the main responsibility of a head coach and that is what I am looking at in candidates and experience will count for a lot," the former fast bowler said.

Interestingly, the board in its advertisement has made no mention whether foreigners can apply for the positions. The advertisement only states that the candidates must have five years of working experience in their respective cricket fields with elite teams and cricketers management.

It also states that the candidates must have strong organizing, planning and recruiting skills and must be a highly strategic and competent planner with the ability to work with wide range of individuals from varied backgrounds.

The advertisement says the candidates must be computer literate and have knowledge of working on all cricketing softwares. The board is hunting for a new coaching team after Australian, Dav Whatmore and fielding coach, Julian Fountain announced they would not be extending their contracts with the board after it expires next month.